Computing BSc (Hons)

What is special about this course?

If you are looking for a successful career in the fast-moving computing industry, the BSc (Hons) Computing degree is for you.

You will learn all the knowledge and skills you need to work in this sector, as well as developing key personal and intellectual qualities necessary for continued professional development.

In years three and four you can choose to study for a generic degree in computing or you can specialise in software development or technical support. This will allow you to exit at the end of the fourth year with a themed award, for example: BSc (Hons) Computing (Software) or BSc (Hons) Computing (Networking).

The course provides a high-quality design/development web education that has been designed to meet employers’ requirements. When you graduate, you will be well-equipped to implement and manage web design and development projects from start to finish.

Special features

A highlight will be the team project you will undertake, where you will be involved in the delivery of an ICT-related product for an external client

You will also be involved in the management, configuration and utilisation of live internet servers to provide web-based services

You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances

You can study individual modules for personal or professional development

Entry to year two, HND, is an appropriate computing based HNC, such as HNC Computing or HNC Information Technology

Entry to year three of the degree is an appropriate computing-based HND such as: HND in Computer Science; HND in Software Development; HND in Technical Support; or HND in Information Technology

Access routes

All relevant HN computing-based awards will be considered

Alternatively:

NC Digital Media Computing

NQ Multimedia Computing

Intermediate 2 Business, Administration and Computing Studies

SVQ Information Technology

Students eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP) will be able to apply for entry to BSc (Hons) Computing with a grade profile of CCC in one of the below courses:

Access to: Biological Science (West Lothian College)

Access to: Health and Life Sciences (Fife College)

Access to: Life Sciences (Dundee & Angus College)

Access to: Life Sciences (Edinburgh College)

Access to: Physical Sciences (Dundee & Angus College)

Access to: Physical Sciences (Edinburgh College)

Year 1 - HNC

Mandatory units are:

Professionalism and ethics in computing

Computer systems fundamentals

Developing software: introduction

Graded Unit 1 (examination)

Team working in computing

Troubleshooting computing problems

Optional units may include:

Cloud computing

Ethical hacking

Computer forensics

Computing: introduction to project management

E-Commerce: publishing web sites

SQL: introduction

Systems development: introduction

Database design fundamentals

Multi-user operating systems

Developing mobile web-based applications: an introduction

Software development: testing

Software development: programming foundations

Software development: applications development

Technical support: supporting users - software

Technical support: supporting users - hardware

Option units available may vary depending on study location, for more information contact your chosen campus

Year 2 - HND

Mandatory units are:

HND computing: graded unit 2

Managing a web server

Relational database management systems

Developing websites for multiplatform use

Optional units may include:

Computer networks: building local area networks

Cloud computing

Computer forensics fundamentals

Computing: PC hardware and operating systems essentials

Configuring a desktop operating system

COS 2

Human computer interaction

Mathematics for computing 1

Security concepts

Software development: developing small scale standalone apps

Software development: object oriented programming

Troubleshooting a desktop operating system

Option units available may vary depending on study location, for more information contact your chosen campus

Year 3 - BSc

In year 3 you will choose one of the following pathways - BSc (Hons) Computing; BSc (Hons) Computing (Networking); or BSc (Hons) Computing (Software).

Core modules for all pathways are:

Advanced databases

Designing web-based applications

Team project (computing and interactive media)

If you wish to take the Networking pathway you must take the following option modules:

Cyber security

Server technologies

Network and information security

If you wish to take the Software pathway you must take the following option modules:

Artificial intelligence

Software construction

Mobile applications development

Other option modules include:

Small business planning

Advanced design techniques*

Advanced 3D animation**

If you wish to take the Computing pathway you may choose from any of the option modules listed above

* to undertake the Advanced design techniques module, students are required to have experience in advanced design techniques or be able to produce a portfolio of work with evidence of their abilities.** to undertake the Advanced 3D animation module, students should have ideally completed 3D Modelling and animation from the HND Digital Design. Students with a basic knowledge of a 3D package may be able to join the course, although, it is advised that for this they make contact with the module leader in advance to discuss this/be invited to interview.

You must also complete a dissertation - for example: robotics, web application development or you may choose your own

How will I study my course?

Full-time

Part-time (structured)

Part-time (unstructured)

You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures and tutorials, as well as online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors

How long will my course last?

Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week

Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week

Part-time (unstructured): 8 years @ 10 hours per week

Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.

Where can I study my course?

Argyll College UHI

Inverness College UHI

Lews Castle College UHI

Moray College UHI

North Highland College UHI

Orkney College UHI - September start only

Perth College UHI

Shetland College UHI - September start only

Start date

September

January (part-time study only)

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland or the European Union/EEA (outside of the UK) and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Year

Level

2020-21 Full-time

2020-21 Part-time

Year 1

HNC

£1,285

£86 (per HN credit)

Year 2

HND

£1,285

£86 (per HN credit)

Year 3

Degree

£1,820

£215 (per 20 credit module)

Year 4

Degree

£1,820

£215 (per 20 credit module)

Year

Level

2019-20 Full-time

2019-20 Part-time

Year 1

HNC

£1,285

£86 (per HN credit)

Year 2

HND

£1,285

£86 (per HN credit)

Year 3

Degree

£1,820

£215 (per 20 credit module)

Year 4

Degree

£1,820

£215 (per 20 credit module)

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Year

Level

2020-21 Full-time

2020-21 Part-time

Year 1

HNC

£6,720

£448 (per HN credit)

Year 2

HND

£6,720

£448 (per HN credit)

Year 3

Degree

£9,000

£1,500 (per 20 credit module)

Year 4

Degree

free

£1,500 (per 20 credit module)

Year

Level

2019-20 Full-time

2019-20 Part-time

Year 1

HNC

£6,720

£448 (per HN credit)

Year 2

HND

£6,720

£448 (per HN credit)

Year 3

Degree

£9,000

£1,500 (per 20 credit module)

Year 4

Degree

free

£1,500 (per 20 credit module)

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time RUK undergraduate students for continuous and contiguous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union) and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Year

Level

2020-21 Full-time

2020-21 Part-time

Year 1

HNC

£7,020

£468 (per HN credit)

Year 2

HND

£7,020

£468 (per HN credit)

Year 3

Degree

£13,200

£2,200 (per 20 credit module)

Year 4

Degree

£13,200

£2,200 (per 20 credit module)

Year

Level

2019-20 Full-time

2019-20 Part-time

Year 1

HNC

£6,855

£457 (per HN credit)

Year 2

HND

£6,855

£457 (per 20 credit module)

Year 3

Degree

£12,800

£2,140 (per 20 credit module)

Year 4

Degree

£12,800

£2,140 (per 20 credit module)

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time RUK and International undergraduate students for continuous and contiguous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed the BSc (Hons) Computing you might like to consider careers:

as a web designer or website developer

as an interactive web-based software developer and designer

in server maintenance and management

as a software developer

as a database analyst

as a database implementation consultant

as a web-based services consultant

in technical support roles

Is there more information available online?

You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.

What our students, graduates and staff say

I’d previously studied with the university and enjoyed the environment. I found the lecturers more than helpful but also, on a more subject-related topic, loved the highly practical aspect that the course offers. There are only 2 exams (one per semester) and the rest is more development or research. Since development is what I wish to go into, it made so much sense to do a course that heavily focused on the practical aspects and not memory-based exams which are questionable in a world where Google exists.

My favourite aspect of the course is the practicality of developing software, websites or scripts. It’s cool being able to have an idea and go ahead and make it an actual product. The versatility of what we learn (mobile development, web development, application development) also comes into play as you’re not just stuck with one platform.

Thinking about computing? Do it! This is the future, this is where job opportunities are going to be. Together, humanity and technology are helping us to advance more rapidly than we can imagine.

There is an emphasis on practical learning combined with the latest innovations in the field to ensure that students are ready to excel in a competitive industry when they graduate.

Dr Ian Barnes,BSc (Hons) Computing Programme Leader.

Computing is a very broad subject and I took the opportunity of studying at my local university campus to allow me to familiarise myself with various subjects. The course has allowed me to work and learn skills in many areas of computing. I believe I now know the specialist area of study I would like to take in the future, as I have developed a greater understanding of which areas of computing I enjoy and feel that I excel in.

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.